The BCAHA Bantam Tier 3 Provincial Hockey Championships are officially underway in Smithers, and the action in the Civic Centre Arena is fast and furious.
After the first day of competition on Sunday, the home team will have their work cut out for them. The Smithers Storm had the dubious honour of playing twice in one day; all ten teams will have four games each, although due to the schedule, some will have to play twice on one day.
In the first day of play, the Storm lost their first game of the day with a close 7-6 score against Nelson. Later that evening, after the official opening ceremonies, the Storm rallied to face Quesnel, but couldn’t quite get their second wind, losing 4-1.
Big winners on Sunday included Revelstoke and Dawson Creek, both winning games with a score of 9-3. Revelstoke beat out TriPort, while Dawson Creek defeated Ridge Meadows. Whitehorse, the other team to play two games on Sunday, defied the odds, ending the day with two tie games, both with scores of 4-4; the first was against Whistler, while the later game was against Terrace.
During the opening ceremonies, all ten teams took to the ice for brief speeches from municipal and federal politicians, as well as organizers. The national anthem, as well as a special song written just for the occasion, were performed by the Sweet Harmony Singers. The teams took the opportunity to show off hairstyles donned for the tournament; for most teams, the mohawk was the ’do of choice, while the Smithers Storm players chose a bleached blond look. Several parents and supporters also joined in the dyeing as a show of support.
Organizer Cheryl Ann Stahel said the tournament was motoring along like a well oiled machine as of Sunday evening.
“We’re absolutely pleased. All the volunteers are one hundred per cent full steam ahead. Everything is unfolding so far without a glitch,” she said.
She also pointed out the luxury of free game admission, thanks to a donation by the Bulkley Valley Credit Union. The Smithers Midget Storm are currently in Cranbrook competing in their provincial championships, and family members have to pay admission to every game.
Hockey fans still have a chance to check out some of the action before the tournament wraps up. Wednesday will see two final scheduled games, first between Quesnel and Nelson at 8 a.m., then Terrace and Whistler at 11 a.m. At 5 p.m., the first place team from A Division will face the second place team from B Division, then at 8 p.m. the first place B Division team will face the second place A Division team. On Thursday, the bronze medal game will take place at 8 a.m., then the big final will hit the ice at 11 a.m.
The opening ceremonies for the Bantam Provincials on Sunday evening.